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The natural wonders of the Yucatan Peninsula
are countless, but some of the most unique to the area are the cenotes. Cenotes are created by an underground river
system and are fresh water sink holes that the Maya considered to be sacred. In
addition they were an incredibly important resource as a fresh water source,
and the Mayans also believed they were the entrance to the underworld. Cenote,
(say-NOH-tay) called dzonot (ZO-note) by the ancient Maya were defined by the
Motul dictionary, a dictionary of Mayan hieroglyphics, as "abysmal and
deep" or "hole filled with water".

Millions of years ago, the Yucatan Peninsula
was covered by the ocean. Some 15,000 years ago, during the last Ice Age, the sea
level descended approximately 250 feet.

For thousands of years, the porous land surface, formed by
fossilized coral and limestone, has filtered rainwater, which dissolved parts
of the subsoil. This process created a system formed by flooded underground
rivers and caves. This phenomenon is truly unique, and makes up the largest
network of caverns in the world.

Cenotes are formed when the roof of a cavern collapses due
to erosion. The level of the water also contributes to the creation of cenotes:
if it is too low, it does not provide enough support, which causes the roof to
weaken and cave in.

The depth of each cenote depends of the amount of natural debris
that has accumulated through erosion in addition to the remains of the roof
that collapsed. The water that gathers in these amazing natural wonders is a
crystal clear turquoise color with a very pleasant temperature of 78°.

The stalactites and stalagmites that form inside the cenotes
are true natural works of art. In many, holes in the ceiling allow the sunlight
to filter into the cenotes, giving the scene a magical feeling. The cenotes of the
Yucatan Peninsula are a true natural gift that
should be seen by all, but keep in mind that they should be protected so that
they are here for generations to come. You can do your part in local
conservation by not using any lotions, sunscreens, perfumes, or repellents
prior to swimming in a cenote. Many cenotes provide showers that you can use to
rinse off before going in.

There are four different types of cenotes - those that are
completely underground, those that are semi-underground, those that are at land
level like a lake or pond, and those that are open wells. Some of them are
accessible for swimming and cave diving, some of them are not accessible at
all, and some are actually dry cave systems that can be explored.

Sizes and shapes of the cenotes differ according to their
location. Some cenotes have been found to hold quantities of ancient offerings
and jewelry, apparently thrown in the depths by the Mayas who once inhabited
the area.

Currently, an estimated six thousand cenotes have been found
in the Mexican states of Yucatan
and Quintana Roo. In the Riviera Maya, many cenotes have become famous, for
their individual features offer different types of amusement for their
visitors.

And
remember..."take only memories and pictures leave only bubbles"

In most cases, cenotes offer basic facilities such as
bathrooms, dressing rooms and parking. Entrance can run anywhere from free to
100.00 pesos depending on where you go.

Heading south from Cancun
on 307 just south of Puerto Morelos you will see a huge arch on your right hand
side. There will be signs for various cenotes, and if you are a freshwater
lover this is truly heaven on earth. With over 100 cenotes scattered over the
next 19 kilometers west bound there are many fun adventures to be had. There
are multiple spots along the way that have signs posted out front, and you can
certainly venture out on your own and find some incredible cenotes. However, if you travel the 19 kilometers to
Tres Bocas, you will surely enjoy the experience. Tres Bocas, meaning three
mouths, is a ranch that has (you guessed it) 3 different cenotes. The first is
located about 10 minutes on foot from where you are able to park. It is a great
spot, with a shaded palapa area, an amazingly clean (and beautifully tiled)
composting toilet, and a screened in palapa for camping overnight. There is
also a Temazcal
located on the
property that is available for you to use. There are 2 other cenotes on the
property, however, they are a bit of a hike in, and make SURE you have a
competent guide with you. You may want to seriously consider a local Mayan
guide rather then someone from Tijuana,
no offense Lalo! If you want to hear more funny details about the debacle I had
when I got lost please click here .
Tres Bocas is well worth the haul, and it is very rarely crowded so you get the
place to yourselves.

Entrance is 90 pesos per person, and onsite camping is available
for a nominal fee.

Cristalino:

Located just past Puerto Aventuras Cenote Cristalino is
located on the right hand side heading South on 307. Known as a local hangout,
you can bring in a cooler, and blanket and just chill out for the afternoon.
There is a great jump off point, a cave to explore, and a bathroom facility by
the entrance.

Entrance is only 30 pesos for adults and 15 pesos for children.
On Sundays it overflows with locals trying to beat the heat and enjoy their
only day off. So if you are opposed to crowds we suggest you try going during
the week.

Cenote Azul:

Located just south of Cenote Cristalino, Cenote Azul is a
smaller cenote compared to other ones in the area. They do cut off entrance
once the area gets to full. The grounds are well maintained, there is a fun
jump off point, and a wooden lounging deck that juts over the cenote. Cat fish
are in abundance so if you have a mask it is fun to check out. There is a snack
shack and bathroom facilities at the entrance as well as snorkel equipment
rentals.

Entrance is 45 pesos, and it does tend to get very busy on Sundays.

Cenote El Jardin del
Eden:

Located just South of Cenote Azul, El Jardin del Eden, or
Ponderosa as the cave divers call it, is a fun spot to check out. It is a main
entrance point into the underground cave system so you will see many divers as
well as diving instruction happening here. There is a high jump off point that
is a must do, and if you are feeling really brave you can climb a tree for more
height. They do not allow coolers in here at all, but we always bring one in
our van, and when we get hungry or thirsty we take a break from swimming to
enjoy refreshments or a snack in the car. Due to the open nature of the cenote it
can tend to get a bit of algae in the warmer months of summer.

There is a
changing area and bathroom facility on site and entrance is 60 pesos per
person.

Cenote Xunaan-Ha:

Located just south of Akumal is, Chemuyil , a small Mayan village
home to many locals who work in Akumal and the surrounding areas. If you take a
right off of the highway you can wind your way through town, and there will be
signs for Cenote Xunaan-Ha It
is a small cenote off the beaten path tucked away in the lush jungle landscape.
You can swim, float, or snorkel, in the cenote. Don't forget to bring your
mask; there are bountiful fish to follow, and an occasional freshwater turtle
that will come out of hiding to tease you! Watch out for mosquitoes! Use of
repellents is prohibited unless they are biodegradable (but none is best). If you stay in the sun, or the water, they
don't tend to bother you. No bathroom facilities are available.

Entrance is 30
pesos for adults and 15 pesos for children.

Dos Ojos:

Located just south of Cenote El Jardin del Eden it is hard
to miss the signs for Dos Ojos.

Dos Ojos, meaning "two eyes," has become a world
famous dive spot for obvious reasons. Divers and snorkelers alike flock to this
natural wonder to experience this expansive cavern, which is considered to be one
of the longest, and most decorated, underwater cave systems in the world. Enter
through one of the two separate pools, which look like two large eyes, and
explore an intricate, and surprisingly clear, maze of caves and decorations.
Decorations is the term used to describe stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone,
and rim pools which Dos Ojos has an incredible abundance. Entrance is 100 pesos per
person, and there are full bathroom facilities, snacks, and souvenirs
available.

Right next door to Dos Ojos is Hidden Worlds . This spot has become
world renowned after being featured in the IMAX film, "Amazing Caves" and for the thriller movie "The Cave".

Cenote Yax Mul (As of April 2007, this cenote was closed to the public. Sadly it was purchased by a large tour operator and it appears the public closure is permanent) :

Cenote Yax Mul is one of the most spectacular cenotes I have
yet to visit. It is pretty far off track so either hire a guide or make sure you know where to go. The turn off is marked, but it can be missed if you are not not
paying attention.The entrance is located south of Dos Ojos and Hidden Worlds on
you right hand side. Take a right off of the highway and someone will greet you
to take your entrance fees. The last time we were
there they had the cutest baby monkey! Once you park it is a short walk into
the jungle, and then you will come upon a set of wooden stairs that allows you
to descend into one of the most amazingly decorated cenotes you have ever seen.
They have it lit throughout with a generator (don't worry the generator is
located outside of the cave and unobtrusive), and the guide will make sure to
light copal to ward of bugs and
mosquitoes. Changing facilities and bathrooms are available.

It is well worth
the 80 pesos to check out this cenote.

Casa Cenote /Cenote Manatee:

Located 20 miles south of Puerto Aventuras, and just north
of Tulum, there is Cenote Manatee often referred to as Casa Cenote. The cenote is located in a residential area
called Tankha. There are signs for Casa Cenote on the highway that will direct
you to the left hand turn off. Once you drive through the residential area of
Tankha you will come upon an open lagoon on your left (Casa Cenote). Entrance
to the Cenote is free, but if you want to park in the lot directly across from
it there is a small fee. There is a great restaurant on the beach side which
has great BBQ on Sundays. Right off the beach from the restaurant is great
snorkeling with huge parrot fish, and massive schools of a variety of different
fish.

The Cenote is a large open lagoon that has a strong current. If you swim
up the canal a bit you can float down as you snorkel and check out the
freshwater fish and deep waters below. This cenote is used frequently by cave
dive instructors to do skill drills and training. The freashwater flows under
the road and when on the beach side you can experience the freshwater bubbling
up into the sea which makes for fun currents, and a great variety of fish.

There
are full restaurant and bathrooms facilities

Gran Cenote:

Located just outside of Tulum Gran Cenote lives up to its
name, it is both amazing and grand! To find it take a right off of Highway 307
when you get to the second traffic light in Tulum. You want to head towards
the Coba ruins, and go about 3 kilometers where you will see a sign for Gran
Cenote on your right. Pull into the parking area, and there will be a gate
where you can pay your entrance fee. You will walk on a short, well-maintained
path until you get to the stairs that bring you down into the cenote. There are
wooden decks and ladders to allow easy access to various points of the cenote.

This is a hugely popular spot for cave divers so you are more then likely to
see a diver or 5. My favorite thing to do is to track them with my snorkeling
mask as they glide across the bottomless abyss with their dive lights. They
light up the caves below that would go other wise unnoticed by the oblivious
snorkeler.

This is by far in my top choices of cenotes in the area for pure
natural beauty. A must see in my book. Bathroom and changing facilities are on
site as well as snorkeling equipment and life vests that you are able to rent.

Outside food and beverages are strictly prohibited, and entrance fees are 80 pesos
per person.

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